Who I think should be in the CFP entering Selection Sunday

Despite the ongoing coronavirus, we got through another great college football regular season and, get this, conference championship weekend. So, here is who I think should be in at noon ET today.

1.Alabama (11-0)

Alabama played a pretty complete game last night in Atlanta in the SEC Championship against Florida, further cementing their spot at number one in the country. Alabama has three guys (THREE GUYS) who are elite and should have a chance at the Heisman Trophy in a few weeks-QB Mac Jones, RB Najee Harris, and the presumable favorite (by much of the media) to be the first receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard, DeVonta Smith. Alabama will happily take their spot in familiar New Orleans, Louisiana.

2.Clemson (10-1)
Let’s be honest. Had Clemson got QB Trevor Lawrence back for its game against highly ranked Notre Dame on November 7, the Clemson Tigers would’ve beaten Notre Dame and likely kept their top ranking all season. Many had their doubts about Dabo Swinney’s ball club entering the season. The offense lost top receiver Tee Higgins to the NFL Draft and fellow top receiver Justyn Ross to injury. But, playmakers at receiver like veteran Amari Rogers stepped up. Clemson’s young defense had questions. But, former five-star recruit Bryan Bresee stepped up, among others. Alabama and Clemson are the clear top two teams, but I know there will be mixed opinions at 3 and 4.

3.Ohio State (6-0)
I know what everyone is going to say. “Ohio State played half a season.” “Ohio State only beat a pedestrian Northwestern team by 12”. “Ohio State’s best win is versus Indiana.” “Ohio State will be the freshest mentally and physically because they’ve only played half a season.” All of these concerns make sense. But when the committee looks at it (and me, too) Ohio State is the Big Ten champion. That can’t go unnoticed. While Ohio State is not playing their best football right now, I believe that a few weeks of practice will get QB Justin Fields and his receivers back in sync. Yesterday, we saw Ohio State RB Master Teague carve up an awesome Northwestern defense. So, at this point, I think Ohio State will be okay, and should easily make it in the playoff.

4.Texas A&M (9-1)

Yes, I have Texas A&M in over Notre Dame. Clemson easily beat Notre Dame in Charlotte yesterday, which means that Clemson probably would’ve handled Notre Dame the same way back in South Bend on November 7. Texas A&M handled all of their SEC competition except for getting clobbered against Alabama by 28 points. Either way, the strongest conference in college football needs to get two teams in the playoff.